Using Interactive Math Notebooks Throw Down Thursday #1:

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Fourth of July! I hope that everyone is enjoying the day with some great BBQ, a favorite Beverage, and some Besties! I am drooling over my keyboard at the moment because my Brother in Law is using his smoker to cook ribs and macaroni and cheese. It smells so awesome!
Speaking of awesome, I am linking up with an AWESOME ELA teacher today, Erin at I'm Lovin Lit. For a little Throwdown Thursday.

She is using the first Thursday of every month to talk about using her Interactive Notebooks.
I'm loving the Interactive Notebook idea. This past year I used an Interactive Math Notebook. Next year, my ELA class will add one, and I'm attempting to use one in the social studies class that I now have to teach... HELP ME! I'm a math geek. I have to figure out a cool way to teach Social Studies.. I'll take suggestions, leave me a comment below!
But back to the IMB... That 's what we called our notebooks this year. BEST THING I EVER DID IN MY MATH CLASS! Truth be told, it is rough around the edges. There are a ton of things I could have and should have and WILL do better, but I love that I stuck to it.

One thing that I think is important is that you really stick to it! A sign of a good teacher is one who has the ability to reflect and make corrections. How is that for some APPR points!
I really liked my use of FOLDABLES within the notebook. Our math text was completely online this year. So that math notebook became a real textbook to my Smarties. It was their go to reference. Below are a few pictures of some of the foldables that I used.

This is my first year doing an interactive notebook. I must do something to keep my kids' notes in one place. A binder just isn't cutting it anymore. I teach 6th grade resource math class to special needs students. Do you think that a INB will be a good fit for them? Is it better to use a spiral notebook (which is cheaper for me) or better to use composition notebooks? Thanks!

I like the composition notebooks because I think they hold up better. I asked my students to bring them as part of the supply list, but watch the upcoming sales at Staples, Office Depot and Office Max. Last year I got them for 25 cents each. I ended up wanting another one for Word Work in Language Arts, so I just made the purchase.I think the using the Interactive Notebook would be really good for them. I taught an inclusion class this year with students who were really low, and having the notebook was so helpful to the ENTIRE family. It gave them a basis to help with studying when it came to be test time.Michele

Hey wow! I love all those foldables you used! ;-) I am going to try to have my math notebooks be more interactive this year. I stuck with Science and SS last year- didn't want to bite off too much. :)Jiveyideas by jiveyFollow me on Facebook!

I absolutely love how your IMB can now serve as a reference book, especially in the absence of paper textbooks. That is exactly the mindset I had when I set out to start interactive notebooks - that my students would have a permanent reference notebook to fall back on during my class - or better yet - in the future! :)ErinI'm Lovin Lit

I am new to interactive notebooks but have used ideas from homeschool lapbooks that look similar. I think the ideas from these lapbooks might help you with social studies interactive notebooks. Here is one such website with lots of free printables:http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooks_at_hss.php